Surrendering a licence
You may voluntarily surrender your driver licence at any time.
Surrender due to a medical condition
If you have a medical condition that prevents you driving and you want to voluntarily surrender your driver licence, you need to:
- provide a medical certificate (F3712) signed by a health professional declaring that you are unfit to drive. If you are unable to obtain a medical certificate, you can complete a medical condition notification form (F4355) yourself
Please note: you may not be eligible for a refund without a medical certificate. - return the form and your driver licence either:
- in person at your nearest transport and motoring customer service centre
- by mail to
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Emerald Customer Service Centre
PO Box 1787
EMERALD QLD 4720
If you voluntarily surrender your driver licence, or have it cancelled, because of a medical condition, you may be eligible for a free photo identification card.
Surrender for another reason
If you want to voluntarily surrender a driver licence for a reason other than medical condition, you need to:
- complete a return/surrender declaration form (F4778)
- return the form and your driver licence either
- in person at your nearest transport and motoring service centre
- by mail to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Emerald Customer Service Centre
PO Box 1787
EMERALD QLD 4720
If your driver licence is still current, or expired within the last 2 years, you may use it as evidence of identity to apply for a photo identification card before you surrender it.
A photo identification card provides an alternative form of photo identification for people who don’t hold a driver licence.Refund of licence fee
If the driver licence being surrendered is current (not expired), you may be eligible for a refund of the remaining time on the licence.
To be eligible for a refund, the licence must be surrendered:
- voluntarily due to a medical condition
or - because your licence has been cancelled due to a medical condition
or - on behalf of a deceased person.
You are not eligible for a refund if you voluntarily surrender your licence for another reason or have been disqualified from holding a driver licence.
Refund due to a medical condition
If you are surrendering your licence on medical grounds, you can apply for a refund at a transport and motoring service centre or if you can't attend a centre, you can apply by mail.
Apply for a refund in person
To apply for a refund in person, please bring a completed medical certificate (F3712) form. On the form, a health professional must have declared that you are unfit to drive.
You'll also need to surrender your driver licence.
Refunds can be issued to an EFTPOS, credit or debit card if:
- the licence holder is present and can show photo ID
- the card is in the licence holder's name
- the card is connected to a bank account.
Please note: We cannot refund to a digital card, so please ensure you bring a physical card with you.
If the refund can't be issued to a card, we'll post you a cheque. Cheques can take up to 15 working days to arrive.
Apply for a refund by mail
To apply for a refund due to a medical condition by mail, post your driver licence and completed medical certificate to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Emerald Customer Service Centre
PO Box 1787
EMERALD QLD 4720
If your licence has been lost, stolen or destroyed, you can declare this on the form as the reason for not returning your licence to us.
Refund on behalf of a deceased person
You can apply for a refund on behalf of a deceased person at a transport and motoring service centre. If you can't attend a centre, you can apply by mail.
Refunds are issued by cheque in the name of the licensee or the licensee's estate. Cheques can take up to 15 working days to arrive in the mail.
Apply for a refund in person
To apply for a refund on behalf of a deceased person, you’ll need to bring:
- the deceased person's driver licence (unless you advise that it has been lost, stolen or destroyed)
- one of the following supporting documents:
- death certificate
- Coroner's report
- certificate of authority issued by Public Trustee under the Public Trustee Act 1978
- grant of probate stamped with court seal
- advice from the Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Please bring the original document. If you can't bring the original, please bring a copy of the document that has been certified by a JP or other qualified person.
Apply for a refund by mail
If you're not able to attend a transport and motoring service centre, you can surrender a licence on behalf of a deceased person and apply for a refund by mail.
You'll need to send us:
- a completed return/surrender declaration form (F4778)
- the deceased person’s driver licence (unless you advise that it has been lost, stolen or destroyed)
and - a copy of a supporting document that has been certified by a JP or other qualified person.
Post the declaration form, driver licence and supporting document to:
Department of Transport and Main Roads
Emerald Customer Service Centre
PO Box 1787
EMERALD QLD 4720